tMF | The Movie-Fanatic

Paul Morrison's Little Ashes, the movie that tMF is promoting via a blitz site will finally be shown in theaters this coming May 8th. I'm pretty sure the team @the blitz site will come up with their own film reviews, but to give you just a glimpse of what some reviewers are already saying:

Little Ashes is educational and sensual. Impressively directed by Paul Morrison (Solomon & Gaenor), it evokes the upper-class and sexually repressive atmosphere of E. M. Forster's novel Maurice, as well as the poetry and passion of the film Like Water for Chocolate. The film's intelligent, well-researched script is by first-time screenwriter Philippa Goslett. Visually, the film is gorgeous. Between the Spanish locations, Pere Francesch's sets and Antonio Belart's costumes, the film perfectly captures the setting and period. [ read more ]

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That's from Blade, and while they might favor movies similar to Little Ashes, they got a great perspective of the film as they compared it to some previous critical acclaimed films of the same genre or theme... I find the movie adaptation of Maurice to be visually arresting, with some great performances, especially from Rupert Graves and Hugh Grant (who would have thought Grant would play such a role!) I'm pretty sure a lot of our viewers are already aware of how much tMF admires Mr. Pattinson and to see him perform such a challenging role would be the ultimate!

I also think the Spanish actor Javier Beltran will be given the credit he deserves, plus of course Matthew McNulty - this guy is awesome!

Oh, there are other reviews and this one, you may not like it at all:

The film would have us believe that Dali and Lorca would have been lovers but for some mysterious trauma that prevented Dali consummating their physical relationship. But more to the point, as far as I was concerned, was why would Lorca have wanted to? Dali, as portrayed by Pattinson, is charmless, selfish, vain and above all dull. Duli, in fact. He looks like a bizarre Pierrot. Their relationship is a soppy romance, all Brideshead style cricket jumpers and cosy bike rides and horridly complicitous well if I can't have sex with you I can watch you having sex with someone else before running off to Paris and becoming a celebrity artist with a crazy mustache. [ read more ]

Those who have seen the movie were quite ecstatic about the intimate water scene were it was said to be 'magical and sensual at the same time' - but let us be the judge of that! Come May 8th, we shall see!

Here's a summary of what the movie is all about:

In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of Jazz, Freud and the avant-garde. Salvador Dali arrives at the university; 18 years old and determined to become a great artist. His bizarre blend of shyness and rampant exhibitionism attracts the attention of two of the university's social elite - Federico Garcia Lorca and Luis Bunel. Salvador is absorbed into their youthfully decadent group and for a time Salvador, Luis and Federico become a formidable trio, the most ultra-modern group in Madrid.

However as time passes, Salvador feels and increasingly strong pull towards the charismatic Federico - who is himself oblivious of the attentions he is getting from his beautiful writer friend, Magdalena. In the face of his friends' preoccupations - and Federico's growing renown as a poet - Luis sets off for Paris in search of his own artistic success. Federico and Salvador spend the holiday in the sea-side town of Cadaques. Both the idyllic surroundings and the warmth of the Dali family sweep Federico off his feet. Salvador and Frederico draw closer, sharing their deepest beliefs, inspirations and secrets, convinced that they have found a kind of friendship not dreamed of by others. It is more that a meeting of the minds; it is a fusion of souls.

In the meantime, head on over to the Blitz site for all the updates, contests, news and interviews!